Preview: Juggernauts LA, Columbus set to collide at HDC

The LA Galaxy return to league endeavors and put their undefeated run on the line when the Columbus Crew come to The Home Depot Center on Wednesday evening. The Galaxy are unbeaten in 12 league games, their last league contest a 2-1 victory against Chicago nearly two weeks ago. The Crew returned from a long layoff of their own last weekend, in a scoreless draw at home with San Jose.

When the Galaxy won 2-0 in Columbus last May 29, it was just the Galaxy's second win all-time at Crew Stadium. The first was a 2-1 win against Columbus on Sept. 30, 2007; that also includes a loss to the Crew in the 2002 U.S. Open Cup final, and loss in MLS Cup 2001 to San Jose.

The Crew saw a six-game unbeaten streak vs. the Galaxy in Carson come to an end in the loss last year. They had two wins, with four draws, in their previous six visits.

The Galaxy have defeated Columbus just three times in the last 14 league meetings. Since a 2-0 win April 24, 2004 at The Home Depot Center, the Crew are 6-3-5 vs. the Galaxy.

All the goals came after the halftime break. After winning a free kick near the corner flag on the right, David Beckham swung the ball in to the far post, where Landon Donovan was able to outjump Gonzalo Segares and angle his header into the goal. WATCH

The Fire answered back in the 62nd minute, when Patrick Nyarko's cross into the Galaxy box was met by Cristian Nazarit, who put a powerful header past goalkeeper Josh Saunders. WATCH

But only three minutes later, Beckham put the Galaxy into the lead, swinging a corner kick in from the left that sailed through a host of bodies and under goalkeeper Sean Johnson, nestling inside the far post. WATCH

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena made five changes to the team that reached a scoreless result with Seattle Sounders FC at The Home Depot Center. Josh Saunders replaced Brian Perk in goal, Bryan Jordan and Gregg Berhalter came into the back four for Sean Franklin and A.J. DeLaGarza, and David Beckham and Paolo Cardozo came into the team in place of Mike Magee and Chad Barrett.

David Beckham is one behind Houston's Brad Davis for the league lead in assists, setting up Landon Donovan's league-leading ninth goal against Chicago—his first assist since May 28.

"I told Landon to play hard and goals are always good. The second half he played very well. I thought his second half was real good and once he scored he really lifted his game," Bruce Arena said. We need the leadership out of Landon and David to be successful and we certainly got it in the second half, the whole night really. The goal really helped Landon. I thought it was good performance in the second half in particular."

"From what I hear, playing with the injury that he is playing with is really painful. He is a warrior. Since he has been here he has played through a lot of tough injuries," said Donovan of Beckham. "He has spent a lot of time off the field so I think he wants to do everything he can do this year to play as much as possible so he is playing through a lot of pain."

The Galaxy had three changes to their back four plus goalkeeper, and still came away with the victory. Gregg Berhalter played 90 minutes for a second match this season, and Bryan Jordan made his first start of the campaign, coming in at right back.

"I think he did well. He showed the guy the line and played him defensively very well. It's tough for him to come in as a midfielder and play a defensive spot so I thought he did well," said goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who returned after he was suspended for the Seattle match.

On Saturday, the Galaxy fell 4-1 to Real Madrid in a World Football Challenge match at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Jose Callejon, Joselu, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema scored for Real Madrid; Adam Cristman pulled a goal back for the Galaxy, heading in a rebound in the 67th minute

"If we were healthy and didn't have to play the game Wednesday in Seattle I think we would have gotten a lot more out of this game," Arena said. "We certainly saw that we had a tired team. We played a couple players that were hurt and we don't have the kind of depth that you need when you play teams of this caliber."

On Wednesday, the Galaxy were dumped out of the U.S. Open Cup in a 3-1 quarterfinal loss to Seattle Sounders FC at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: noneSUSPENDED: noneWARNINGS:SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: David Beckham | SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: Juninho

WATCH: Galaxy players & coaches preview the match

COLUMBUS CREW

The Columbus Crew returned to action after a long layoff with a scoreless draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening at Crew Stadium. The Crew have 28 points from 19 games on the season, in third place in the Eastern Conference.

LAST MATCH

William Hesmer made five saves for the Crew in keeping the clean sheet, while Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch was called upon to make six saves.

The Earthquakes nearly took the lead before the game was a minute old, but Khari Stephenson saw a low drive clatter off the base of the goalpost.

Crew head coach Robert Warzycha made one change to the team that took a dramatic 1-0 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Empire Field. Emmanuel Ekpo came into central midfield for Dejan Rusmir.

After the 10-day layoff and an in-season mini-vacation, the Crew weren't able to find their way past Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch.

"Obviously you want the forwards to get some looks at the goal and [Andres Mendoza] did today," said Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. "Probably his shot selection wasn't good but also [Jon] Busch did well blocking Robbie's [Rogers] and his [Mendoza's] shots."

It was a second attacking shutout in three games for Columbus, the only goal in that time the dramatic winner by Jeff Cunningham to secure victory in Vancouver.

"Definitely we have to be sharper in front of the goal, we need to keep creating chances but as a team we need to play a little better," said Warzycha.

The Crew were able to keep a clean sheet for a second consecutive game. They had four consecutive shutouts from March 26-April 16.

"We got one point but played for three and created some chances. ... I think it was just an off night a little bit, I think goals change games and I think that had we scored before half time when Robbie [Rogers] had the one against one I think probably we would have changed the game but they kept it at zero and I am a little disappointed," Warzycha said.

The Crew were involved in a trade with Toronto FC, obtaining midfielder Tony Tchani from the Canadian side in exchange for midfielder Leandre Griffit and defender Andy Iro.

"We're working on some things outside the league but we're certainly not close to anything," said technical director Brian Bliss. " ... It does create some roster room, but this move wasn't done to create that."

Come watch the Galaxy take on the Columbus Crew on Wednesday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.! Tickets start at $25, and fans are invited to join us for a pregame Happy Hour in SoccerFest! Happy Hour food and drink specials include $2 beer & wine, $1 peanuts and $1 popcorn. Plus, the first 6,000 fans in the gates receive a free Galaxy soft lunch box, courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County! BUY NOW